Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath

I think this book should be required reading for all teens and adults in America right about now. All too often, I find myself listening to or reading about people who just don’t understand why America should step up and actually help the Syrian refugees. Part of the problem, in my opinion, is that people don’t have any concept of what life is truly like for people who are forced to flee their home and country in fear of losing their very lives. Without a frame of reference, people have no idea what it is that they are turning their backs to. I am sick of the, “It sucks to be them, but it’s not America’s problem” mentality. Perhaps, by reading this story [about three children who narrowly escaped the Armenian genocide of 1915], people can begin to understand what these current refugees are experiencing. And maybe, just maybe, people can put aside their fear long enough to see that there is something we can do. We can open our hearts — and our borders — to the huddled masses who so desperately need somewhere safe to go. I think Master Yoda said it best when he said, “Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” So, let’s stop letting our fear get in the way. In this season of giving, love, and goodwill, let’s do our best to put aside our fear and to actually help out our fellow human beings.